By Eileen Iron Cloud | Board Member
This report is dedicated to the memory of our beloved relative Albert (Rocky) Afraid of Hawk who made his journey to the spirit world in August 2019. Our cousin/brother-in-law was a humble man with a strong mind, body and spirit who lived according to Lakota values. Our relative was loved by many people. KCBNS is so grateful for the help he has given us - through his prayers, by helping with the demanding work in fencing which included walking up and down hills and canyons and carrying heavy fencing materials. He was a wealth of information which included sharing his experiences of working with and helping to take care of buffalo.
Organizational Description
The Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society (KCBNS) is a non-profit organization with a 501c 3 designation, located within the district of Porcupine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. The KCBNS leases a 900 plus acre pasture from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) which manages the tribal and individually held lands of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. KCBNS paid $6,931.00 for the 2018 - 2019 lease period. The annual lease payment is due every year on November 1st. Herd includes 31 adults and 12 calves.
Fencing the buffalo pasture
Fencing the 900 plus acres has been and remains to be a challenge. The work has been put on hold many times due to the weather – rain, snow, ice which results in muddy roads and paths to the pasture itself. Approximately one –mile remains to be fenced. Fencing is a very expensive endeavor but it must be done. In addition to the expense of purchasing materials (posts, wire), other supplies and equipment are needed also. Transportation is a constant challenge since the pasture is miles off the main highway. A 4x4 one-ton truck is badly needed for this heavy duty work. We are currently working to raise funds to purchase a truck.
An old-timer told a story of how he witnessed a buffalo jump over a 6 foot fence. If the buffalo want to go wandering, they’ll find a way to get out of the fenced in pasture, and they’ll find their way back into the pasture also. The buffalo caretaker has seen this happen a number of times. Building a fence and maintaining it is an on-going project.
Wakanyeja Woapiye Wicoti (Children’s Healing Camp)
The Camp was held on August 29 – September 1, 2019 at Camp Bob Marshall in the beautiful Black Hills, near Custer, SD. Participants ages 0 – 11 years included 38 children and 17 adults. In addition to 13 adult volunteers, six grandmothers and mothers were present with their children and grandchildren.
Activities included Lakota cultural teachings, Lakota language skill building, talking circles, family communications, swimming and canoeing, leadership building, art therapy and mindfulness. In addition, healing ceremonies and the receiving of spiritual names. 17 children and 1 adult participated in the naming ceremony, and 21 participated in a healing ceremony referred to as a “Wopakinte”, a spiritual wiping off of negative residue in the mind, body and spirit.
“The Camp was a huge success… I believe this year was a true testament to a community coming together for our children. We were really fortunate to be able to have had so many people wanting to donate financially and help (donate time) wherever they can. The community (Anpo Wicahpi, Knife Chief and Tasunke Wakan) really pulled together to ensure this healing opportunity happened for our family and most importantly the children! I witnessed lots of laughter and smiles. I look forward to camp every summer and am happy to be able to be a part of this important and amazing effort for our children.”
--Quote from Saige Pourier, Camp Coordinator
Student Shoulder to Shoulder
The KCBNS hosted a group of 10 high school students and their mentors from across the United States from June 4 – 11, 2019. Activities included Lakota cultural teachings, helping to gather sage for sacred ceremonies, worked in the buffalo pasture. Students also toured the Black Hills.
Education
The buffalo caretaker participated in a grant writing workshop in May
that was offered by Hopa Mountain, Inc., an organization based in Bozeman, Montana that provides technical assistance to Native Non-profit organizations. The activity was held in Kyle, SD near the district of Porcupine.
Wopila (a big thank you)
Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society is very grateful to all who have contributed in many ways, including those who have offered wocekiye (prayers) and who have sacrificed in order to strengthen our people now and for the future generations. We also acknowledge our relatives, the Pte Oyate (Buffalo Nation) and give heartfelt thanks to them for their teachings and for our survival. There are no words to express our gratitude to the Tunkasila (grandfather) and Unci (grandmother) spirits who guide us and help us in all ways.
We also extend our gratitude to the following:
Anpo Wicahpi Owayawa (Morning Star) Pine Ridge Girls School
First National Bank of Gordon, NE
Global Giving, Inc.
Golden West, Inc.
Hopa Mountain, Inc.
Individual Donors (local and Germany) and Volunteers
Lynn’s Dakota Mart
Native Connections
Oglala Lakota College Head Start
Oglala Sioux Tribe
Pine Ridge Subway
Project Venture
Students Shoulder to Shoulder, Inc.
Tiospaye Wakan (extended family of four societies)
Thunder Valley, Inc.
Village Earth, Inc.
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